“I was getting excited,” guard Danny Green said. “I got out of my seat. I thought it he was going to get it.”

Leonard had to settle for arguably the greatest near-dunk in Finals history, drawing a foul and heading to the free-throw line.

That play, in a nutshell, summed up where the Spurs stand now, after a stunning 107-86 victory Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena that has pushed them to the brink of a fifth NBA championship.

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San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard looks for room between Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (left) and Ray Allen during first half action in Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals Thursday June 12, 2014 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. less

San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard looks for room between Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (left) and Ray Allen during first half action in Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals Thursday June 12, 2014 at American Airlines Arena ... more

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs big man Tim Duncan (right) throws down a dunk during his team's big win in Game 4 in Miami. Duncan's 10 points and 11 rebounds gave him the all-time postseason double-double record with 158.

Spurs big man Tim Duncan (right) throws down a dunk during his team's big win in Game 4 in Miami. Duncan's 10 points and 11 rebounds gave him the all-time postseason double-double record with 158.

Photo: Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News

Spurs eyeing fifth title after another romp

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With a title once again in sight, the Spurs are determined to get greedy.

“We thought we could win here,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. “We were happy to win one, but we didn't want to rest on that.”

With Leonard again leading the way, the Spurs dealt the two-time defending champion Heat a second consecutive blowout defeat on their home floor.

Leonard, the 22-year-old small forward suddenly in line to earn Finals MVP honors, filled the box score with 20 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

And the Spurs smell blood now.

Leading the series 3-1 after an unexpected sweep in Miami, the Spurs have a first chance to close out the series in Game 5 on Sunday at the AT&T Center.

Odds are in their favor. The Spurs have never lost a playoff series in the Gregg Popovich era when holding such a lead. Likewise, no team in NBA history has blown a 3-1 edge in the Finals.

“I'm pleased we performed as well as we did while we've been in Miami,” Popovich said. “That's as far as it goes.”

The Spurs arrived in Miami earlier this week looking to exorcise demons from their last postseason trip to AmericanAirlines Arena in Games 6 and 7 of last year's Finals.

After two punishing games in South Florida, the Spurs have set themselves up with a chance to win a title without making another trip here.

Thursday's game was every bit as dominating as the 19-point thumping they laid on the Heat in Game 3. It marked the first time since the 2012 Eastern Conference finals that Miami lost two consecutive postseason games.

After Game 3's record-setting shooting performance, the Spurs won Game 4 with defense, holding the Heat to 17 points in the first quarter. That set the tone for the choke-out to come.

Tony Parker added 19 points for the Spurs, and his backup, Patty Mills, threw in 14 off the bench.

By the second half, James — who finished with 28 points — had to feel he was back in Cleveland, a one-man show struggling in the Finals against the Spurs. At the end of the third quarter, James had accounted for half of Miami's field goals.

“We just couldn't get into a rhythm on either side of the ball,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And it just went from there.”

While the Heat floundered, the Spurs continued to play as if this were Charlotte in February.

They attacked, whether it was Parker or Mills, Duncan or Diaw. They moved the ball. They were relentless.

And now, they return to San Antonio on the cusp of the championship that got away from them last season.

“They're the two-time champs, a great team, and there is still one more game,” Parker said. “We have to win one more game.”